The Top 5 Tourist Attractions in the Lake District

Few regions in Britain have as much to offer visitors than the Lake District. The scenic county of Cumbria truly offers something for everybody, no matter what your interests are.

Here are five of the best tourist attractions in the Lake District:

South Lakes Wild Animal Park

It may be a little hard to believe at first, but you can feed giraffes and penguins every day in the Lake District. The South Lakes Wild Animal Park in Dalton-in-Furness gives you the chance to see and feed exotic wildlife.

Try to visit in the afternoon because they feed the big cats each day at 3:45 p.m. There’s also a mini train for those who don’t like to walk. There are lots of special programs, so be sure to check out the website before you visit.

The Punch Bowl Inn & Restaurant

This hotel in Crostwaite is becoming the number one place to eat in Cumbria. It’s won a host of awards, and Head Chef Scott Fairweather has been named Young Chef of the Year in 2013.

The Punch Bowl offers a wide choice of dining, including contemporary, formal restaurant, and classic pub fare. Rooms also come with complementary afternoon tea. Be sure to book reservations ahead of time due to the Inn’s popularity.

Rydal Water

Although it is one of the smallest lakes in the District, it is also one of the most famous; mainly because poet William Wordsworth lived next to it in White Moss House. Rydal Water is so small that you can easily walk around it.

There’s lots of great walking around the lake, including a hike to Rydal Cave, a former quarry, and the spectacular view from Wordsworth’s Seat at the western end of the lake. It’s called Wordsworth’s seat because that was the poet’s favourite lookout spot.

Via Ferrata at Honister and Honister Slate Mine

Honister Slate Mine is the last working slate mine in Britain. The Via Ferrata is a system of cables that allows anyone to traverse up and down the mountain safely. The mine itself is open to the public for tours, and miners give regular demonstrations of their skills to visitors.

Holker Hall

One of the most stately homes in all of Britain, Holker Hall on the Holker Estate in Cark-in-Cartmel is still the residence of Lord and Lady Cavendish, but it is now open to the public. Its gardens are among the most spectacular in England. Open every day but Saturday, Holker Hall features a café, a gift shop, and the food hall.

These are just a few suggestions for what to do in the Lake District. When you’re in Cumbria, keep your eyes open because there’s far more to do in the area.

So if you are interested in visiting the Lake District, check out slparks.co.uk for the best accommodation in the region.